BIODYNAMIC
Grapes: Chardonnay
Vineyard
Site: a few kilometers south of Beaune, in the prestigious area known as Côte des Blancs (slope of the whites). The Premier Cru vineyard is located in the southern part of the Meursault appellation.
History & tradition: at one time hornbeam (or beech) trees ("charmes", in French) may have grown here, across the path from the vineyard "Perrières", with its white and sharp little stones covering the surface. Some people like to derive its etymology from the word "charm", an apt depiction of the vineyard since it is easy to work, has a sunny exposure, a mild slope and affords a beautiful view over the valley. Other people refer to the "charm" of this wine as another possible derivation.
Soil: limestone and clay.
Viticulture
Plantation density: 10,000 stocks/ha in order to extract all possible nuances from the terroir. Pruning: Guyot.
Yield: 45hl/ha, low on purpose to limit the production of each vine stock.
Supply: grapes and must purchased from regular suppliers (long-term contracts).
Vinification
Pressing: very slow so as to respect fruit. Juices from the very last pressings are not retained.
No yeasts or enzymes are used. The wine goes directly into barrels after "débourbage" (decanting of white wine to reduce sediment).
Ageing
Type: in barrels (25% in new oak).
Length: 12 months.
Origin of the wood: French oak forests.
Weathering of the wood: Joseph Drouhin insists on total control of the weathering for a period of 3 years, one of the contributing elements to the elegance of the wine.
Follow-up: barrel by barrel